So next year Ferrari will once again carry numbers 1 and 2 in F1. And I presume, that having finished (officially) last in the championship, McLaren will get......22 and 23?
I should know this, as this is like forgetting your own name, but are numbers based on WDC standings or WCC standings?
#1 & #2 are based on WDC, the rest on WCC....... so McLaren should get #22 & #23. for example.....since Alonso was WDC in 2006 McLaren got #1 & 2(even though the team came in 3rd in the 2006 WCC), Renault for #3 & 4, and Ferrari got #5 & 6............ get it?
...but McLiaren can choose NOT TO USE THEM IN THEIR CARS...I cant fetch a pic of toyotas not wearing them...well anyway they get the last spot on PITLANE!... it would be lovely to see them in monaco trying to pit from a local bar and grille!!!
I think teams should be able to choose which numbers they use. Every number should be available except #1, which would only be the choice of the WDC to wear it the next year.
I'd have to dig for the rules (it might actually be buried in the Concorde Agreement, I don't recall) but the points trigger all sorts rules including position and space allowed for the team motor homes......Ron's two story monument to himself may not fit!
Right before China, I got myself a (white) Puma jersey with "Raikkonen" on the back and #6 in the left front of the shirt and a big six on the back below his name. Looks like a soccer jersey so I like the fact it is kind of "incognito" and not the typical "look at me" Ferrari Red stuff. My guess is that most people who see the jersey in the US think "Raikkonen" the new goalie for Finland's national team. Got a #5 Massa (green) for my son on the same shopping trip. Needless to say, I've never been happier to have clothing be outdated so soon after purchase! Can't wait for Puma to have these with #1 & 2. Jerseys look like this: http://www.gpmini.qc.ca/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2669&cPath=65_190_192_195_201
Let the drivers (or constructors) pick which numbers they want in the order they placed the previous season except the #1 will only be available to the WDC. If he turns it down, no one else can use it. Or you could do it like NASCAR and each constructor owns the number on the car. Although don't let a constructor ever own the #1 and give the WDC the choice.
I think the system is fine just the way it is. Each team can get the number they "won" and if they don't want it let them run with 45 if they like. McCheaters running with #23 would definitely not be their first choice I would assume. I hope they don't twist the rules again, just for them. I just want to see them getting the worst pit lane spot.
The numbers are nice but the best pit position can make a difference in the race especially at tracks like Monaco. Being in middle and last pits suck because you can get stuck behind others trying to leave the pits before you.
That doesn't make sense. The teams should have the numbers for the positions they finished in last year. If this isn't needed, why have numbers at all?
No, it does make sense. The numbers are used on the car to identify them. People don't see the #15 car and say "oh man, that's the car that finished 7th in the constructors!" Btw, the #13 is skipped so once you get past 12, it doesn't match the position the constructors finished. Btw, the numbers don't even represent the number the constructor finished sometimes. Ferrari got the #5 and #6 in 2007. However, Ferrari finished 2nd in the constructors, Michael finished 2nd in the drivers championship, and Massa 3rd for 2006. Renault won the constructors yet got #3 and #4. Fernando won the WDC so he kept #1 of course. Other than that last porition, THAT doesn't make sense. Just let teams choose a number they want (except #1) and market the hell out of it. If a Japanese team finished 2nd in the constructors, no way in hell would they want the #4 on their car.
Kids these days... Assigning car numbers based on last year's chamionship is a newfangled idea. Just one more way that Max and Bernie have wrecked the tradition of the sport. TRADITIONALLY, 1 went to the WDC, and 2 to his teammate, and all other numbers were assigned according to what numbers each team always ran. Exception: 11 and 12 were given to the previous year's champion if they wanted it. Tyrrel ran 3 and 4, for example, and when they had a Japanese driver, he got 3 because 4 is bad luck. Mansell was always red 5 at Williams. Ferrari took 27 (and so 28 also) when they didn't rate 1-2 or 11-12. I'msure others can give examples, as could I if I could be bothered to consult my reference books. But all that aside, the best thing about Ron Dennis' exposure as a dirty scumbag is his team's relegation to the nether end of the pits and paddock. Here's hoping it has a drastic effect on his team's results. Yeah, really hate that guy....
Teams were assigned numbers in the order they joined the championship. The WDC winners would exchange numbers with the previous winners. Ferrari had 27 and 28 for so long because they didn't win a WDC between '79 and '00. The rules have changed so that the WDC gets 1 (and his teammate gets 2), and the other teams are given numbers by the order they finished the WCC (skipping "unlucky" 13). When the WDC retires, his replacement can take #0 instead of 1. The WCC assigned numbers can be assigned between the two team drivers however they agree. By my count, next year we'll have: Ferrari: 1 (Kimi), 2 (Phil) BMW: 3,4 Renault: 5,6 Williams: 7,8 RBR: 9,10 Toyota: 11,12 STR: 14,15 Honda: 16,17 SA: 18,19 Force India Racing (spyker): 20,21 McLaren: 22,23 (ProDrive:24,25)
